Composite door, weatherstrip and frame rotting

You have to admire the standard and quality of modern British newbuilds, MDF external doors :eek:

It will be cardboard next to cut costs. Oh well it keeps us PVC guys busy :D
I don't know if MDF, I was just guessing what this outer skin over the door frame might have been. It seems to me like a reasonable quality door that for some reason got dry rot under the drip board, maybe that was badly fitted?
 
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If you look on ebay or freegle you will find plenty of used doors, that have been replaced. Search for the right dimensions, and by area so you can easily collect it. I got second-hand front doors for my shed. Prices range from free to 99p to £20. If you use lift-off hinges it will be easier to hang.

You may be able to get a hardwood door that has been under cover in a porch and is in excellent condition. It would be very rare and difficult to get one as shoddy as the door you have.

Treat the top and bottom edges of an external door very generously with wood preserver after trimming but before fixing, and paint thoroughly. They are the parts most likely to get wet, and most likely to be neglected.
 
Probably water getting behind the weather bar and tracking back into the door via the screws has blown the door, fit a new weather bar but run a bead of silicone on it above the screws, once on I'd run a bead of PVA along the top which can be painted over.

To try and disguise the joint I would cut it right back up to the bottom of the glass and then use another smaller weather bar to bridge the joint giving the effect of a stable door, just a thought?
 
Thank you all very much for the benefit of your experience and your help and advice.

I now know what to do and it will be up to me to do a good enough job that will last a few more years or if not will fail next winter. I'll put up the photos when done anyway.

Thanks again, the help is much appreciated.
 
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if you fit a new weather bar, drive the screws from the inside of the door. Then there need be no screw-heads or drilled holes on the exposed surface where water may creep in. Rustproof screws like brass or stainless will last better.
 

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